California's three long-term care homes for elderly U.S. veterans could lose $18 million under a Bush administration plan to withhold funds for nearly all veterans, state officials say. If Congress approves the change, the shortfall would hit existing facilities in Barstow, Chula Vista and Yountville, probably forcing a reduction in services. The policy also could put a budget squeeze on state veterans' long-term care facilities under development in West Los Angeles, Lancaster and the Ventura County community of Saticoy, according to critics and officials.

And, some say, it sends a painful signal to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Destruction" is what 75-year-old Bill Jackson, a longtime resident of the Veterans Home of California in Barstow, predicted the cuts would mean for Veterans Administration nursing home care in Southern California.

The budget proposal could translate into a $1.4 million loss for Barstow alone, and a likely reduction of services at all three state VA nursing homes, according to California officials.

California's three long-term care homes for elderly U.S. veterans could lose $18 million under a Bush administration plan to withhold funds for nearly all veterans, state officials say. If Congress approves the change, the shortfall would hit existing facilities in Barstow, Chula Vista and Yountville, probably forcing a reduction in services. The policy also could put a budget squeeze on state veterans' long-term care facilities under development in West Los Angeles, Lancaster and the Ventura County community of Saticoy, according to critics and officials.

And, some say, it sends a painful signal to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Destruction" is what 75-year-old Bill Jackson, a longtime resident of the Veterans Home of California in Barstow, predicted the cuts would mean for Veterans Administration nursing home care in Southern California.

The budget proposal could translate into a $1.4 million loss for Barstow alone, and a likely reduction of services at all three state VA nursing homes, according to California officials.

One thing idiots and fools like you need to realize, is that our Veteran population is in a major decline. Especially (which is the most important category of veterans) the number of veterans with service connected disabilities. Sure, there are new SC disabled veterans being created each week in Iraq, etc., but compared to the number after WWII, Korea and Vietnam, their numbers are not nearly as high. What this article does not make clear is that all the cuts target veterans that are getting benefits from the VA for disabilities that have NOTHING to do with their time in the military. The same medical benefits (actually better) are available through social security disability.

One thing idiots and fools like you need to realize, is that our Veteran population is in a major decline. Especially (which is the most important category of veterans) the number of veterans with service connected disabilities. Sure, there are new SC disabled veterans being created each week in Iraq, etc., but compared to the number after WWII, Korea and Vietnam, their numbers are not nearly as high. What this article does not make clear is that all the cuts target veterans that are getting benefits from the VA for disabilities that have NOTHING to do with their time in the military. The same medical benefits (actually better) are available through social security disability.

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I'm a 60% Service Connected Disabled Veteran myself free, and do you see me whining? No. Because none of what is "proposed" as a "cut" will effect me, or anyone else who is, as you already pointed out, "service connected".

What this turd wants to do free is just post as much dog shit as he can dig up on the internet about President Bush. There's no other reason. He/she has no real concern about any of the subject matter, just so as it appears to be biased against the President. He's picking up the liberal slack where pulpit drops off.

If I had to profile this piece of shit, I'd have to say he/she was a lonely, not very well educated person, who isn't very well liked in life. He/she is angry, and doesn't know why. He/she is also very confused, about a great many things.

I have mixed feelings about this. I believe Veterans should be granted Medical Care to some extent for life - regardless of the nature of their illness, or it's connection (or lack) to their service. As-is, because of my Service-connected rating (having a rating period) I can be seen free-of-charge at the local VA hospital; I'd be required to pay only $7 for each prescription, if required for my treatment.

As this proposed cut seems to only remove the $59 per day, I think it'd be very reasonable to ask Veterans to pay that amount, or part of that amount. Perhaps have a 'case-by-case' policy where those who have NO income can still get the care they need? Retired Military still receive free medical care - perhaps they can shoulder more of the burden? The thing is, everyone should pay 'something'. $59/day for hospital Medical care would be a VERY little expense for me. Perhaps $59 per night in the hospital and $20 per doctor's visit + that $7 per perscription would be a good plan?

I have mixed feelings about this. I believe Veterans should be granted Medical Care to some extent for life - regardless of the nature of their illness, or it's connection (or lack) to their service. As-is, because of my Service-connected rating (having a rating period) I can be seen free-of-charge at the local VA hospital; I'd be required to pay only $7 for each prescription, if required for my treatment.

As this proposed cut seems to only remove the $59 per day, I think it'd be very reasonable to ask Veterans to pay that amount, or part of that amount. Perhaps have a 'case-by-case' policy where those who have NO income can still get the care they need? Retired Military still receive free medical care - perhaps they can shoulder more of the burden? The thing is, everyone should pay 'something'. $59/day for hospital Medical care would be a VERY little expense for me. Perhaps $59 per night in the hospital and $20 per doctor's visit + that $7 per perscription would be a good plan?

I'm hoping a sort of compromise can be reached.

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My son is also a service connected disabled vet, but his rating is only 30%. He gets free care pertaining to his service connected injury, but if he wants to go to the V.A. Hospital for treatment for something else, he has to pay. Either with Champhus, or some other form of medical insurance, or out of his pocket. He also has to pay for his perscriptions.

While I was working at the V.A. Hospital in Phoenix, and going to school, I got a letter that pertained to cutting hospital benefits for veterans, but that it wouldn't be effecting me. I didn't know it, but the V.A. hospital in Phoenix, and others around the country I believe, had been treating veterans who were not service connected, and it was a massive financial drain.

I'm not 100% sure who is and isn't eligible for hospital benefits. I could find out easily enough I suppose if I wanted to take the time to do the research. But it's my feelings that "only" service connected veterans should get free treatment from V.A. hospitals, and then to the degree to match how bad you really are. But also those who did their 20 years. If you were never injured at all while you were in the military, then go to a regular hospital like everyone else. Save the V.A. care for those who really need it, and deserve it.

My son is also a service connected disabled vet, but his rating is only 30%. He gets free care pertaining to his service connected injury, but if he wants to go to the V.A. Hospital for treatment for something else, he has to pay. Either with Champhus, or some other form of medical insurance, or out of his pocket. He also has to pay for his perscriptions.

While I was working at the V.A. Hospital in Phoenix, and going to school, I got a letter that pertained to cutting hospital benefits for veterans, but that it wouldn't be affecting me. I didn't know it, but the V.A. hospital in Phoenix, and others around the country I believe, had been treating veterans were not service connected.

I'm not 100% sure who is and isn't eligible for hospital benefits. I couldn find out easy enough I suppose if I wanted to take the time to do the research. But it's my feelings that "only" service connected veterans should get free treatment from V.A. hospitals, and then to the degree to match how bad you really are. If you were never injured at all while you were in the military, then go to a regular hospital like everyone else. Save the V.A. care for those who really need it, and deserve it.

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Have your son double-check. I received a call from the VA stating "because you have 'a' Disability rating, you can be seen free of charge for all medical care - with your only cost being prescriptions". I'll look for the letter which was sent to me, and try to scan and post it for you.

But it's my feelings that "only" service connected veterans should get free treatment from V.A. hospitals, and then to the degree to match how bad you really are. If you were never injured at all while you were in the military, then go to a regular hospital like everyone else. Save the V.A. care for those who really need it, and deserve it.

Have your son double-check. I received a call from the VA stating 'because you have 'a' Disability rating, you can be seen free of charge for all medical care - with your only cost being prescriptions'. I'll look for the letter which was sent to me, and try to scan and post it for you.

30% with spouse and one child it's: $391/month + $19 extra for each child.

The $839 you should be getting every month is a large sum of money; It could easily offset a $20 co-pay, etc, at the VA, if that were the case.

I know vets who barely make $400 a week (some are in school, etc...)

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My understanding though is that the VA hospital system was set up specifically to address those injured while serving in the military. Serving a two or three year hitch, in my opinion, should not qualify one for VA medical treatment. The VA system needs to focus on those injured while serving so that it can provide THEM with the BEST care possible. If you water down the system treating every vet that needs medical care, those that DESERVE it the most will be shortchanged.

My understanding though is that the VA hospital system was set up specifically to address those injured while serving in the military.

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'tis what I though too, until I received that call, then the subsequent information by mail. Thus, I haven't used the system, even FOR my Service-connected injuries.

Serving a two or three year hitch, in my opinion, should not qualify one for VA medical treatment. The VA system needs to focus on those injured while serving so that it can provide THEM with the BEST care possible. If you water down the system treating every vet that needs medical care, those that DESERVE it the most will be shortchanged.

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It wouldn't be wattered down - it'd be 'not free'. That's it

But I know what you are saying...one primary reason I haven't used the care is because I couldn't stand to sit in chairs waiting to be seen for 'knee/leg pain' while the guy next to me has no knees/legs...I just don't feel 'worthy' I suppose.

'tis what I though too, until I received that call, then the subsequent information by mail. Thus, I haven't used the system, even FOR my Service-connected injuries.

It wouldn't be wattered down - it'd be 'not free'. That's it

But I know what you are saying...one primary reason I haven't used the care is because I couldn't stand to sit in chairs waiting to be seen for 'knee/leg pain' while the guy next to me has no knees/legs...I just don't feel 'worthy' I suppose.

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Just for the record, what I meant by "watering it down" was that if doctors are treating a guy that is dieing because he was in a car wreck, then the doctors cannot spend time treating the guy dieing of wounds received in war.

Also for the record, my father was treated in VA hospitals for his heart condition before he died that had nothing to do with his time in service. So I understand your points, etc. He got it all free which was nice, but even though it was my dad, I think in many ways it was unfair. Especially to those that his needs *might* have been taking resources from.

Vets should be taken care of - period. Perhaps though some kind of needs basis needs to be applied.

Recently a vet called into a radio talkshow and he was bitching about the cuts. Now, in the same call, he admitted that he was being treated for exposure to asbestos that he received AFTER he got out of the military while working for his employer. I called in and said that he should go after the employer and stop burdening the system with an illness that he gained from working for somebody else for over 20 years. I guess that is what I am getting at. Too many abuse the VA system.

Again, all this is JMO since I have no dog in this race (right now).

In the end, vets need to be taken care of. But again, we cannot allow the system to be abused as it takes away from those, as you alluded to, that have lost a leg, eye, arm, etc.

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